and what a week it's been for canada. not only is he one of the stars of the new documentary, "waiting for superman, " about problems in our public school system. he even gave the movie its title. >> one of the saddest days of my life was when my mother told me, "superman did not exist." because even in the depths of the ghetto, you just thought he was coming, i just don't know when because he always shows up and he saves up all the good people. she thought i was crying because it's like santa claus is not real. i was crying because no one was coming with enough power to save us. >> reporter: canada grew up in the south bronx, raised by a single mother who struggled. >> it was one of the toughest places to grow up in america. most of my friends never made it out of the south bronx as healthy and productive citizens. >> reporter: he's still haunted by their memory. >> one of the things that really disturbed me growing up is i felt that the adults around us just let kids perish, they didn't do anything to step in. >> report